Category Archives: Work

Guiding Principles

A Simple ‘Thank You’

It only takes a moment (less than 60 seconds) to recognize the efforts of a co-worker. You could call it “fly-by appreciation”. Example: “Thanks for getting that study out to the staff so quickly. Now they will have time to read it before the meeting…”(15 sec.)

Pay Attention

Noticing when people are doing the right thing increases the probability they will repeat it. Example: “I saw how smoothly you let that student know what they could do to avoid a delay. Thanks for doing that level of customer service…”

Inspire Effort

People who feel appreciated give more to the job than what is merely required. They are ready to give the “discretionary effort” necessary to a healthy organization.

Reward the right things

You get what you pay attention to. If you positively comment on how an effort helps maintain our core values, or facilitates customer service, or helps new staff orient, or cross-trains staff, or builds teamwork, etc. staff will know what is important around here.

Personalized Approach

One size does not fit all. Staff are individuals and respond differently to the same strategy. Ask staff how they want to be recognized.

Equal Opportunity

There should be opportunity for all staff to receive recognition–whether for improving performance, for extra effort, for creativity, or for reliably doing their job each day.

Keep it Positive

To have the greatest impact, the recognition message needs to be completely positive (coach later!), specific, sincere, and given soon after the effort.

Give recognition to staff that support a “recognition culture” with their actions and words by publicly noting their contribution, including it in their performance appraisal, inviting them to recognition celebrations, etc.

Recognize Teamwork

When the relationship among co-workers is good, recognition enhances work performance. When the relationship is troubled, it usually doesn’t matter how you reward or recognize people.

We here in Canada have some great laws that protect the worker’s safety, however, they’re widely unknown and unused.

The most unused law is the right to refuse unsafe work. It’s probably the most powerful and important “right” workers have, yet it goes unused. Just think of all the deaths and accidents that could have been prevented if they had used that right.

Every person I hire starts their fist day with me. We go through training videos, have a safety tour of the plant at which time I show them all the does and don’t s and what to watch for. I also explain in detail the right to refuse unsafe work and I encourage them to use it. By doing this I give them the knowledge and tools to stay safe and go home at the end of each shift.

We’ve all worked in places where we had stress from high demands, low reward, unreasonable expectations, gossip and even political games that can get pretty nasty!

Some of us have had the privilege of working in an almost utopia of positive reinforcement by senior staff combined with a genuine caring for your over all well-being. Everyone is made to feel welcome and part of a team. It’s relaxed, stress free and you may even get excited about going to work to do the best job you can!

I am a fan of the T.V. series Undercover Boss, mostly because it’s shed a light on the subject of psychosocial aspects in the workplace. I like how the “boss” connects with the regular workers and listens to their concerns. The “boss” always addresses the concerns and even finds a way to reward peoples loyalty and dedication with great gifts.

So is it possible to achieve a happy, stress free workplace? YES, only if the boss is behind it 100%. Without that clear support from the top it wont have legs and eventually it will fade away.

When workers are hot and sweaty they need plenty of water to hydrate themselves to prevent heat stroke. In the military Commanders give orders for personnel to drink water when it is hot, and believe me, you have to drink the whole bottle.

I have taken this one step further by handing out freezes or ice cream to workers when it is very hot. I am amazed at the reaction I get each time. Most of the time I am greeted by a very big smile with many thanks with much appreciation.

Something as simple as a Mr. Freeze or ice cream can give your workers confidence that you really care about their psychosocial state, which is a very inexpensive investment on your bottom line gains.

Make it fun, wear a bell or a goofy had and watch the results of a simple approach to heat stress!